Synopsis
Welcome to "Design and Content Creation: A GameDev.net Collection," the second in a series of books published in collaboration with GameDev.net, the online community where game developers worldwide can network and freely exchange information and ideas. Assembled in print for the first time, and comprised of the best game design and content creation articles that have appeared on GameDev.net over the past decade, this volume features invaluable information and ideas for anyone who wants to learn how to shape a great game idea into an actual functioning, and most importantly, fun game. You’ll learn game design mechanics, benefit from invaluable professional insights into successful game creation, discover how to make good game art even if you’re not an artist, and even explore the tools and techniques that make for awesome game audio. All articles have been updated to comply with the latest technology, and as a bonus, this volume also features exclusive, new content that cannot be found anywhere else. Continuing in their tradition of excellence, "Design and Content Creation: A GameDev.net Collection" captures the best of GameDev.net and is an invaluable resource in your pursuit of game development success.
About the Authors
Drew Sikora started programming with QBasic back in 1996 as just another means to geek out with his dad’s laptop, but quickly became hooked on creating text-based RPGs and seeking after information to learn more about creating games like the ones he played every day on his PC and Nintendo console. Information back then on game development wasn’t anywhere near readily available like it is now, and he was finally able to vent his frustration of that fact years later when he had accrued enough experience by publishing articles on GameDev.net starting back in 2000, when books were slightly more plentiful on the shelves and the internet was slowly coming together as a means of readily-accessible knowledge. Continuing his quest to imbue others with knowledge, he’s published over one hundred articles, interviews and event coverage pieces, as well as three contributions to Game Design Perspectives. Promoted to Executive Producer of GameDev.net in 2006, he strives to continue the site’s long legacy of community and information sharing. At the same time, he advises the local IGDA chapter he founded back in 2001, speaks at local events, judges the student challenges over at GameInstitute, lurks and moderates on numerous development forums, experiments on small personal game projects under the guise of Blade Edge Software, and coaches gymnastics.
John Hattan has been working steadily in the casual game-space since the TRS-80 days and professionally since 1990. After seeing his small-format games turned down for what turned out to be Tandy's last PC release, he took them independent, eventually releasing them as several discount game-packs through a couple of publishers. The packs are actually still available on store-shelves, although you'll need a keen eye to find them nowadays. He continues to work in the casual game-space as an independent developer, largely working on games in Flash for his website, The Code Zone (www.thecodezone.com). His current scheme is to distribute his games virally on various web-portals and widget platforms. In addition, John writes weekly product reviews and blogs (over ten years old) for www.gamedev.net from his home office where he lives with his wife and daughter in their home in the woods near Lake Grapevine in Texas.
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